ADW

Whether you call it experimental, exploratory or just regular ol’ backpacker hip-hop, the Chi-town MC Open Mike Eagle clearly represents the kind of hip-hop that pushes boundaries.

After over a decade in the rap game, Curren$y’s first major release, The Stoned Immaculate, is not horrible. But his raspy distorted voice and minimal verses keep it firmly in the low-key, stoner end of the rap spectrum.

Two years after the release of his critically acclaimed LP The Recipe, Amiri Gamble returns on the scene with his new album entitled Vinyl Ritchie.

It’s been two years since L.A. beatmaker Dibia$e put out a new album. And, while many of the artists seeking the Dibia$e sound over the past decade have been in the hip-hop realm, Dibia$e is clearly expanding his horizons with his new instrumental LP Looney Goons.

As far as rap names go, the name Stretch Money, doesn’t exactly scream depth or lyrical substance. Surprisingly enough, Detroit MC Stretch Money is anything but your typical superthug, slang poppin’ street rapper.

There was a time when hip-hop bands seemed intriguing, just because. Nowadays, new hip-hop bands have become just as ordinary as any new rapper; with many offerings, few are able to achieve a true mark of distinction.

T. Shirt is not just an indie-rapper with an interesting name, thank goodness. T. Shirt is a somewhat unlikely New York MC who has built a modest following dropping LP’s independently and blogging via his crafty website illrapper.com.

Originally known as one half of the group Clipse, Pusha T has quickly established himself as a fiery Virginia MC, delivering colorful street rhymes with vivid imagery.

Mention “M.O.P.” in any hip-hop conversation, and most heads have either heard or heard of who you’re talking about. With minimal radio play, the stocky, gravel-voiced microphone fiends, Billy Danze and Lil Fame, have gained a reputation for leaving a trail of scorched stages all over, statewide to overseas and everyplace in between.

Wordworth first gained recognition at New York's underground freestyle jam session Lyricist Lounge, as a co-creator MTV's 2000 The Lyricist Lounge Show, and for his rapid-fire delivery and skillful wordplay.

Young Gunz rose to the fore through collaborations with some of Roc-a-Fella Records' finest--Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Freeway--but last fall's blazing single "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is what proved the duo's bright mainstream promise.

Beatmakers sampling jazz tunes is certainly nothing new, but new-school revivalist Jason Skills and Soulo prove there's still plenty of innovation possible.